Garment steamer



Aug. 5, 1947. c. R. LENDLE GARMENT STEAMER Filed Dec. s, 19'43 5 sheets-sheet 1 INVENToR. Carl Lendle famo@ ATTD R N EYS All@ 5, 1947- c. R. LENDLE 2,425,194

GARMENT STEAMER Fiied Dec. 3, 194s 5 sheets-sheet s Carl RLendZe IN V EN TOR.

ATTURNEYS Aug- 5, 1947 Y c. R. LENDLE: r2,425,194

` GARMENT STEAMER Filed Dec. 3, 194sl 5 sheets-sheet 4 'arl- P Lenale J INVENTOR.

Aug. i947. c. R. LENDLE 2,425,194

GARMENT STEAMER Filed Dec. s, 194s 5 sheets-sheet 5 gwlg. l0.

Caf! R.Lendle lNVENToR.

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ATTCI R N EYE Patented Aug. 5, 1947 n GARMENT STEAMER Carl R. Lendle, Youngstown, Ohio, assigner t-o United States Hoffman Machinery Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 3, 1943, Serial No. 512,755

13 Claims.

My invention relates to the cleaning and renovating of garments, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved garment steamer embodying novel means for adjusting the device to the size and contour of the garments, particularly with respect to shoulder, waist and hip line contoursl In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side View of the garment steamer.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional detail View of the neck and shoulder structure of the steamer.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail view of a latching device.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the shoulder structure illustrating the device in its fully extended position.

Figure 6 is a similar View but illustrating the shoulder structure adjusted to garments of smaller shoulder sizes.

Figure 'l is a sectional detail View of a resilient side structure of the garment steamer.

Figure 8 is a side view of a modied form.

Figure 9 is a sectional View taken along the line 9 9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of the garment steamer of Figure 8A rotated 90 degrees.

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation of the upper portion of the form showing the collar shaper.

Figure 12 is a View in front elevation of the form as shown in Figure 1l, and

Figure 13 is a View similar to the upper portion of Figure 8 showing the means for heating the pads electrically,

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, I make use of an annular base i arranged upright and provided with a top Wall l2 of slightly dished contour. This wall is provided with a flange i4 welded to the inner face of the base. Located centrally of the wall I2 is a steam chamber l5 provided with a row of openings I8. Steam is admitted to the chamber I6 through the medium of a pipe 2B.

Upon the steam chamber It is lxedly mounted a heater 22 which receives steam from a pipe 24 extending vertically through the top I2 and the steam chamber I6.

A form 26 is mounted on the heater 22, which form includes an annular flange 28 to which is attached a spider 3D provided with a bearing 32 resting on a bearing pin 34 attached to the upper end of the heater 22. This pin extends loosely in a guide socket 35 depending from the spider 353 to hold the pin in alignment with the bearing Cil 2 32, thus the form 26 may be rotated about a Vertical axis on the pin 34.

The form 25 comprises an upper section 38 and a lower section 4i). The flange 23 comprises a fixed part with the section fill, and the latter is provided with a bottom flange 42 which carries an end wall 44. This end wall is provided with a centrally located neck 46 arranged loosely on the steam chamber I6. A sealing ring 48 is supported in engagement with the bottom end of the neck 45 by an annular flange 50 attached to the steam chamber I6.

Arms 52 are welded to the bottom 44 and project horizontally to support a table 54 of slightly larger diameter than the base l and provided with a depending flange 56. This table comprises a xed part with the section 49.

A steam duct 58 is arranged vertically on the end wall 44 and concentrically of the heater 22. This duct is of considerably larger diameter than the heater 22 and is open at its upper end. This duct facilitates the rapid delivery of steam to the section 38 in cases where the garments are draped on that section only. When, however, full length garments are draped on the steamer, steam is admitted to both sections 38 and 40, the steam being admitted to the section 40 through the medium of ports 60 in the lower end margin of the duct 58. A band 62 encircles the lower end margin of the duct 58, and is arranged between a retaining flange 64 and the end wall '44, but the band may be rotated relatively to the steam duct. This band is provided with ports 66 equal in number to the ports Ell. The ports 60 may be fully or partly opened through adjustmentrof the band 62, the latter being provided with a handle 68 extending through a slot 'lil in the section 4G. When the ports 6&3 are partly or fully opened, steam is admitted to the lower end of the section 40, and steam also passes upwardly through the duct 53.

A hinge 'l2 connects the sections 38 and 4Q, the hinge being attached to the ange 28 and a similar flange 14 at the bottom end of the section 38. Both sections are perviousto steam. Normally the section 38 rests on the section 4E! in the position of Figure 2. However, the section 38 may be swung downwardly, which lends access interiorly to both sections.

The section 40 comprises a metallic mesh wall 'i6 covered exteriorly by a canvas 18. The section 38 comprises an inner metallic mesh body 88 attached to the ange 14 at its lower end and to a hollow body 82 at its upper end. The body 8@ extends above the body S2 and is shaped torprovide a neck and partial shoulder contour 84, Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the cross sectional contour of the body 80, which body is covered exteriorly by canvas 35. This canvas lies snugly to the front and rear faces of the body 82, but includes considerable slack along its side edges, as indicated at 88.

To the lower end and at each side of the body 80 is hingedly connected a metallic mesh panel 00, as at 9|. The two panels comprise sections 92 and 35 of substantially equal lengths, the two sections on lthe two sides being hingedly connected together at 95. The slack portions 88 of the canvas 86 are attached to the panels 90 throughout substantially their entire lengths. Padding 88 is interposed between the slack portions 88 and the upper end margins of the panels 30 to provide a garment shoulder contour of gentle curvature.

Normally the panels 90 take the positions of Figure 2, which positions are yieldingly maintained by compression springs and |02 respectively supported in sockets attached to the body 80. The outer ends of the springs are attached to the panels.

Latch bars |05 are hingedly connected at |08 with the respective sections 95, which bars lie in the channel H0 of the body 82. Both latch bars are provided with openings ||2 for selectively receiving hooks llfl. These hooks are pivoted at IIB to a plate H8 attached to the channel H0, and the hooks are balanced to lie at rest on the bars |05 and to fall into the notches H2 as the bars |55 are pressed inwardly through the application of pressure on the panels 90. The springs |00 and |02 offer little resistance to such adjustment of the panels, the resistance being such that the panels may be moved inwardly through garment pressure when the garment is pulled over the shoulder structure of the form. However, the panels 95 may be adjusted to desired positions before the garment is draped on the form, and the hooks will engage in openings ||2 to latch the bars |55 against outward movement to hold the panels 95 in the desired positions.

In Figure 4, an eccentric is attached to a shaft |22 rotatably journaled in the plate and a bearing |2| attached to the body 80. When the eccentric |20 is positioned in accordance with Figure 4, the hooks ||4 lie clear of the bars |05. Means for rotating the eccentric |20 comprises a link |24 pivotally connected at one end with an arm |25 attached to the shaft |22. The other end of the link is pivotally connected with an arm |23 xed to a shaft |30 rotatably supported in a bearing |32 attached to the body 80. The other end of the shaft extends through an opening |36 in the body 80 and is provided with a handle |36 to facilitate rotation thereof,

A quick opening valve |38 is interposed in the pipe 20, which pipe has communication with the upper end of a chamber |50. This chamber is provided with a steam inlet pipe |52 communicating with a steam generator (not shown). A drain pipe |44 communicates with the chamber |50, and

the pipe 2d has communication with this drain pipe. Condensate forming in the chamber may be drained therefrom through the pipe |44. A steam outlet pipe |45 leads into the heater 22, and a pipe communicates with the steam chamber I5 and is connected with a suction device (not shown). This suction pipe is provided with a foot operated valve |50.

The section 38.when adjusted according to Figure 2 accommodates large garments. There are three openings ||2 in each bar |06, so that the section 38 may be adjusted to accommodate garments of large, medium and small sizes. Conventional wooden sleeve forms are employed in shaping the garment sleeve during the steaming proc- SSS.

The body is provided with a transverse wall |52 provided with openings |54 to permit passage of steam into the body above the partition. A large vertical duct |55 opens through the partition |52 and is xedly secured thereto and to the body 82. However, the upper end of the duct |55 is closed. Branch ducts |58 communicate with the duct |56 and open through the body 80 near its upper end for the admission of steam to the shoulder regions of the form, particularly between the upper end of the body 80 and the slack portions 36. While the sections 38 and 40 permit passage of steam therethrough throughout their entire areas, which is also true of the slack portions 83 and their associated panels 90, the duct 58 and its ports 50 together with the ducts |55 and |58 and the ports |54 function to provide, an efficient distribution of steam throughout the entire form structure.

`The form 25 is provided at its lateral sides with extension members 25 which extend from the waist to the :bottom of the form. The extension members 2 5 are hinged at their upper ends, as at 21, to the waist of the form 25. The extension members 25 are adjustable laterally outward with relation to the form 25 to increase the effective width of the skirt portion B5 of the form and thus adapt it to iill out or expand the skirt part of a bell-shaped coat, whereby to enable such garment to be eniciently cleaned. The extension members 25 are adjusted outwardly to the required extent through the medium of handles 21a which are secured to the lower ends of the extension members and which extend laterally outward from the said members. Bars 29 carried by the lower ends of the extension members 25, and having a snug sliding t in collars 3| xed to the ange 42 at the bottom of the form 26, provide means for maintaining the extension members in their adjusted position. The extension members 25 conform transversely and longitudinally to the lower or skirt section d0 of the form 25 to permit them to lie in close conforming relation to the form when in their innermost position.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the form 25 may be, and preferably is, provided with a collar Shaper 33 which is associated with the neck 35 of the form and which is curved to fit the back andA sides of the neck. The collar Shaper 33 is made of a strip of at metal and is covered with a suitable padding and canvas to prevent it fromV leaving an impression on the collar of the garment. The collar shaper 33 is supported by a curvedA arm 31 from a bracket 39 fixed, as at 4|, to and extending upwardly and forwardly from the neck of the form 26. The arm 31 is pivoted at one end, as at 43, to the upper end of the 4bracket 39. The collar Shaper 33 is fixed rigidly, as at 45, to the other end of the arm 31. Coil springs 41 fixed, as atv49, to the bracket 39 and, as at 5|, to the arm 31, functions to maintain the collar Shaper in its lower or operative position or in its raised or inoperative position, as shown by solid anddotted lines, respectively, in Figure 11. Whenthe collar Shaper 33 is in inoperative position, thearm 3:1 rests against a stop pin 53 carried. by and extending upwardly and forwardly from thebase of the bracket` 39. The. springs. L1`

also impart a slight pressure to the collar shaper 33, whereby to press the collar while the garment is being steamed.

After steaming of the garment, the garment is dried by opening the suction pipe |48.

Figures 8 through li) illustrate a modied construction primarily designed for servicing garments of the sack coat type. This device includes a single metallic mesh body |66 provided with a transverse spider |62 having a bearing |64 resting on the upper end of a rod |66 attached to cross arms |68 secured to a neck E16 comprising the upper end oi a base or housing |12.-

A band |14 encircles the lower end of the form E68 and has arms |16 attached thereto and provided with an opening |18 rotatably receiving the rod |66 which balances the body on the rod. This band closely embraces the neck |15.

The base I is provided with a dome-shaped spider |30 upon which is mounted a nned heating coil |82 having communication with a steam inlet pipe |84. This pipe enters one end of the coil |82, and the other end of the coil communicates with a steam outlet pipe |86. delivering steam to the body |68 comprises a circular tube- |88 having periorations |96 eX- tending upwardly and concentrically of the neck |18. This tube is provided with a steam inlet pipe |92.

AThe body |66 is provided with a canvas cover |94 provided with slack portions |96 along the sides of the body. Mesh panels |68 are arranged inside the slack portions |96 and are reinforced Iby metal bars 258. There are two vertical bars 286 for each panel |68 and the two bars on each side are hingedly connected together at 262. The panels |98 are yieldingly held in the positions of Figure lO by means of compression springs 284, one such spring engaging each bar 266. These springs are seated in sockets 286 attached to the body |56, with the outer ends of the springs attached to the respective bars 26.

To the upper ends of the two uppermost bars 266 are hingedly connected bars 288 which slidably rest on a partition 2 i6 attached to the body |66. A chain 2|2 connects with each bar 28, and the chains pass over grooved wheels 2|4 mounted on the partition 2 i6. These two chains are connected as a unit to provide a single pull chain 2i6 passing around a grooved wheel 2|8 mounted on the band |14. An opening 226 is provided in the band H4 for connection with a lever 222 pivotally mounted on a bracket 224, also attached to the band |14 In Figure 9, the bracket 226 is pro-vided with a series of openings for the reception of a latch formation on the lever 222 to releasably latch the lever in different positions. Thus the shoulder contour of the form may be varied through adjustment of the lever 222.

The lower ends of the two lowermost bars 268 are hingedly connected with bars 228 which are slidably mounted on two of the cross arms |16. Chains 266 connect with the bars 228 and pass over grooved wheels 232 mounted on the body |66. These two chains are connected as a single chain 234 which passes around a grooved wheel 236 attached to the band |14. lThis chain passes through a slot 288 in the band |14 and connects with a lever 246 identical with the lever 222,

A ian 242 is arranged inside the base |12 for rotation about a vertical axis. This fan is driven by a motor 244. The base i12 is provided with screened openings 246 for the inlet of air.

The amount of air blown into the form is con- Means for I trolled by plates 248 arranged in parallel relation and pivotally mounted on shafts 256. The other ends of the plates are pivotally connected with a bar 252, 'this bar being provided with an actuating lever 254 which extends through an opening 256 in the base |12. Notches 258 are provided in the lever 254 to engage over a lip 266 attached to the base, so that the lever may be latched in different positions to vary the spacing between the plates 248.

A table 262 is attached to the base |12.

As shown in Figures 8 and 13, that form of the apparatus designed for servicing garments of the sack-coat type is provided with front and rear pressing pads 268 and 210. These pads are mounted on brackets 264 and 266 carried by the band |14, the pads being connected to the brackets by means adapted to permit the pads to be moved away from the body |66 when a garment is being placed on or removed from the body. The pad 268 is mounted upon its bracket 264 by means comprising an upright bar 265 which is mounted vat its lower end on the bracket. This means also comprises arms 2650i by which the pad is mounted on the bar, the arms being pivoted to the pad, as at 26511, and to the upper and lower ends of the bar. The pad 268 is held under pressure against the front side of the body |66 by a spring pressed latch 265e which is mounted, in an operative manner on the Yband |14 and which when in operative position contacts with the front side of the lower arm 265a, as shown in Figure 8. The bracket 264 extends laterally and forwardly from the band |14. This together with the manner in which the pad 268 is mounted upon the bracket, permits the pad to be swung to one side of the body |66 as shown by broken lines in Figure 8. The pad 216 is connected to its bracket 266 by means comprising an arm 266a and a link 26617, the arm being xed rigidly to and extending rearwardly from the pad, and the link being pivoted to the arm and bracket. The pad 216 is held under pressure against the lower portion of the rear side of the body |60 by springs 266e. The retracted position of this pad is shown by dotted lines in Figure 8.

Each of the pads 268 and 21 comprise frames 2680. and 216a and canvas covers 2681 and 2161) which are secured on the frames by lacings 268C and 2160.

The pads hold the coat in position on the body or form |66 and at the same time press the coat. The canvas of the pads is stretched over the frames, and it may, should it shrink through steaming, be loosened to shape itself over the formby loosening the lacings.

If desired the pads may be heated by steam or electricity. To adapt them to be heated by steam a coil or pipe is arranged within each and connected to a suitable source of steam supply. The manner in which the pads are electrically heated is shown in Figure 13. This heating means comprises resistance elements 269 arranged between layers of insulating material` 269a. The resistance elements 269 are supplied with current from contact rings 2691; located between the band |14 and connected to a suitable source of current. The rings 2691) have a fixed position and the form or body |56 may turn with respect thereto. The resistance elements 269 are connected to the rings 269D by conductors 269e which are connected to wipers 269d mounted on and insulated from the ring |14 and having a sliding contact with the rings. The means for 7 insulating the parts 268er on the ring |74 consists of a block of insulating material 269e.

The pipes |84 and |92 communicate with the chamber 212 having a steam inlet pipe 214communicating therewith and adapted for connection with a steam generator (not shown). Both pipes |84 and |92 communicate with the upper end of the chamber 272, while the pipe |86 connects .with the bottom end of the chamber, as with a condensate bleed line v216.

In both forms of the device, the devices are adjustable to accommodate garments of different sizes. lThe forms may be latched in different positions to accommodate garments of particular sizes, which relieves form pressure on the garments. Thus the garments are subjected only -to steam pressure for contouring purposes, and the latching features eliminate excessive form pressure Aon the garments. Excessive form pressure during the stea-ming operation is objectionable in that it causes stretching of the garments.

All the mesh bodies are of substantial construction so as to maintain their contour in addition to carrying structural parts which are attached thereto.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

l. A garment steamer form comprising a hollow body pervious to steam having integral irnmovable side portions, Ia steam pervious iiexible covering on said body and having slack portions disposed adjacent said sideportions, steam pervious panels attached to the interior of said slack portions, and resilient means normally urging said panels outwardly from said body.

2. A garment steamer form comprising a hollow body pervious to steam having integral immovable side portions, a steam pervious flexible covering on said body and having slack portions disposed adjacent said side portions, steam pervious panels attached to the interior `oi? said slack portions, resilient means normally urging said panels outwardly from said body, and means for latching said panels in different positions.

3. A garment steamer form comprising a hollow body pervious to steam having integral immovable side portions, a steam pervious flexible covering on said body and having slack portions disposed adjacent said side portions, steam pervious panels attached to the interior of said slack portions, resilient means normally urging said panels outwardly from said body, said panels having pivotally connected parts, and means for latching the panels in diiierent positions corresponding to particular garment sizes.

4. The invention described in claim l wherein means are provided for admitting steam to the interior of said hollow body and means for conducting steam freely from the interior of said body into the space inside said slack portions of said flexible covering.

5. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said form includes upper and lower sections, with said panels and said slack portionsassociated with said upper section, and means for distributing steam to both sections.

6. The invention described in claim 1 wherein a heater is mounted inside said form, a steam duct arranged about said heater and having an open upper end, means for controlling th'e passage of steam from said duct at its lowerend, Va

second steam duct located at the upper end of said form in axial alignment with said 'iirst mentioned steam duct and steam duct branches placing said second steam duct in communication with the interior of said slack portions of said flexible covering.

'7. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said panels are pivotally connected with said form at the bottom end of the form, said panels comprising `hingedly connected sections, and means for latching said panels in different positions with respect to said body to vary the garment size of the for-m.

8. `The invention described in claim l wherein said panels comprise pivoted sections, a rst lever operated pull line means connected with certain of said sections to adjust one end of the panels relatively to said body, and lever actuated pull lines connected with the other sections to adjust the other .ends of said panels relatively to said body.

9. A garment steamer comprising a hollow body pervious to steam, extension members at the lateral vsides of the body extending from the waist to .the bottom of the body, means pivoting the upper ends of the lextension members to the body for lateral adjustment with relation to the body, collars fixed to the bottom of the body, and rods carried by the lower ends of the extension members and having a snug sliding t in the collars, said collars and rods constituting means for securing .the extension members in their adjusted position.

10. A igarment steamer comprising a hollow body pervious to steam and having a neck portion, a collar shaper embracing the back and sides of the neck portion-means pivotally mounting the collar Shaper on the body, and means yieldingly urging the collar Shaper in the direction of the neck portion of the body.

1 1. A `garment stearnei` comprising a hollow body pervious to steam and having a neck portion, ya collar Shaper embracing the back and sides of the neck portion, means pivotally mounting the collar Shaper on the neck portion for movement into lowered or operative position or into raised or inoperative position, and spring means associated with said rst means for maintaining the V,collar Shaper in either of said positions.

12. A garment steamer comprising a hollow body pervious to steam and having a neck portion, a c ollar Shaper embracing the Aback and sides of the neck portion, a bracket secured to and extending upwardly from the neck portion, a stop pin carried by the bracket, a rearwardly and downwardly curved arm carrying the collar shaper and pivoted to the bracket to enable the collar Shaper to be moved into operative or inoperative positions, the arm resting against the stop pin when the collar is in inoperative position, and spring means connected to the bracket and to the arm to hold the collar Shaper in either of said positions.

13. A garment steamer comprising a body provided with a neck portion, a collar shaper embracing the back and sides of the neck portion, means mounting the collar shaper on the body for movement with relation to the neck portion, and resilient ymeans urging the collar Shaper in the direction of-the neck portion.

CARL R. LENDLE.

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